(reprinted from Washington County Post article 23-Jan-1975 by J. Geoffrey Jones)
The old Stillwell mansion, construction of which was begun during the American Revolution and completed in 1792, is a Cambridge landmark.
The house is typical of the New England half-house, the eastern portion being the earliest and the western half added more than a decade later.
Alterations in Victorian style were completed in 1892 when the property was the home of the late Dr. Francis Blinn and his father, the Rev. Henry Blinn, pastor of the Cambridge Congregational Church and previously a long-time pastor of the Presbyterian Church.
Plans for the elaborate alterations were drawn up by the New York City architect, H. Inman Furlong. The loggia and porte cochere, then in vogue, were added and a large wing, since removed, was constructed at the rear adding a half-dozen more rooms to the already large house.
The earlies occupants, the Stillwells who built it, were the first merchants at Dorr’s Corners as that locality was originally known.
Subsequently the house was occupied by the poet Roswell Rice, the celebrated Dr. Henry Gray, and the Blinns, father and son. Dr. Gray was one of Washington County’s most distinguished physicians and his name survives in the word “Graycroft” by which the house is known today.
Until a few years ago it was the home of Mr and Mrs Harry Spaulding. Mr Spaulding was station agent for the Delaware & Hudson Railroad here.
It is now [1975] the home of the artist J. Geoffrey Jones, his wife Nancy and daughter Rachel.
[2025: Jean Campbell of Shushan owns the house currently and is doing renovations.]